One day in 2004, another child was brought to Annette and Paco Castillo. This tiny person did not speak at all, despite appearing to be about 3 years old. Her name was Marina Bankole and she was warmly welcomed into the growing family at La Casa Grande, a children’s home in Benin and a Mennonite Mission Network partner.
“Was there a problem with her vocal chords? Had she lost her voice due to unspeakable trauma? No one knew,” said Melanie Hire, who was visiting La Casa Grande when Marina arrived. Melanie was part of a partnership delegation from Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana.
Marina and Melanie formed a bond and communicated through hugs and smiles. After a period of basking in the love that is tangible as soon as one enters La Casa Grande’s compound, the inseparable twosome were participating in vibrant worship that is part of the daily fabric at the children’s home. Music is lively and accompanied by drumming and dancing. Prayer is punctuated with “Amens” and fervent declarations of “Thank you, Jesus!”
In the middle of a prayer, an unfamiliar little voice shouted out, “Hallelujah!” Reverently closed eyes popped open and all heads turned toward Marina.
“We were all stunned into silence,” Melanie said. “Despite the suffering little Marina had endured, the first word we heard from her was one of praise to God!”
Over the next weeks, with good nutrition and education, Marina flourished.
Bring it or leave it quiz
If traveling to La Paz, Bolivia, you should:
High heels. Bring it? Leave it?
Leave it. Bring hiking boots instead!
A winter coat. Bring it? Leave it?
Bring it. La Paz is in the Andes Mountain Range and can get very cold, especially at night.
A swimming suit. Bring it? Leave it?
Bring it. There are natural hot springs just outside of La Paz. It’s like nature’s hot tub!
An umbrella. Bring it? Leave it?
Leave it. Although it rains sometimes, La Paz has pretty dry weather.
Toothpaste. Bring it? Leave it?
Leave it. La Paz is a modern city, where you can easily buy things like toothpaste, shampoo, and soap.
Sunglasses. Bring it? Leave it?
Bring it. Even though La Paz can get very cold, it’s usually very sunny!
Water bottle. Bring it? Leave it?
Bring it. Make sure you have a bottle to fill. Sometimes people get sick from the high elevation of La Paz. Drinking water will help make sure you stay healthy.
Mission Bank Teaching Tools
Looking for some children’s Sunday school or vacation Bible school materials? Mission Network has a new Bolivia Mission Bank Teaching Tool, full of fun and creative ways for children to learn about ministries in a different part of the world.